14 miles

I think I am getting less and less creative with my post titles!

I am loving having muesli cooked as porridge (there is some pumpkin in there to explain the orange tint). Yummy seedy porridge.

The weather was so much better today- a bit cloudy but not too windy and not freezing, plus no rain. I went out 90 minutes after breakfast, and I think I could go out sooner than that. I was listening to marathon talk and they did a prize draw for their February challenge (Febulous)- all the people that took part went into the draw, and they drew out my name! I was so excited! I had to text Andy while I was running (along a wide empty pavement don’t worry) as I was not even ten minutes into my run and he was off to watch football so would be gone when I got back. I am so excited! What is funny is that I go to the website to download it, but never read the shownotes- if I had read them my name is actually there. But I am glad as I loked the surprise! (I have won an addidas mi-coach, not sure what that is but sounds exciting).

Anyway, the first 7 miles passed much quicker than last week (in my mind, not actually) and I was feeling good that I reached the half way point feeling fine. I had some shot bloks at 7, 10 and 12 miles, but from mile 10 the going got tough. There is a hill towards the end (the top of the hill means I have one mile to go until home) and that hill was awful today.

But anyway, I made it home, tummy grumbling and hips stiff, but having run all the way. It took me 2 hrs 47 minutes, but this has given me some hope. Over the bank holiday weekend me and Andy are going away (it is my 30th that weekend) and there is a 20 mile warm-up run, but there is a 4 hour cut off. Doing this run today (which I think was actually over 14 miles, maybe 14.5) has shown me that I would have over an hour to do another 6/5.5 miles, which I should be able to do- what do you guys think? Should I attempt it?

I have been stretching, foam rolling, wearing my compression socks, did a blast of cold water in the shower (I read that the reason this is supposed to work is because the cold constricts the blood vessels, and then when you warm up after the blood vessels dialate and encourage the blood flow to help recover etc), and also refuelling. Lots.

Strawberry soya (tasted like a kids drink- very sweet) and lovely nakd bar to get me through my shower!

Bean burger (I made these the other week so I defrosted one overnight) in a food doctor pitta with some roasted beetroot and caramelised onion chutney. This went in the oven while I showered.

How I love this! Nectarine cooked in the microwave, rice pudding with a few choc chips (they melt in) and some pb. Mmmmm.

My first try of Jasmine Green tea. I have no idea what it tastes like, but I liked it.

I also made some more bean burgers as I realised what a great lunch they make!

Yes I am cooking them in the tray that cooked the beetroot earlier- saves on washing up and maybe enhances the flavour?

Right, I am off for more tea and maybe another snack as we are off out for dinner later, much later, and I think I will be starving by then!

Dang, girl 14 miles!! That’s awesome!!! And as for doing more miles soon, only do so if you’re absolutely comfortable with it, not just because you’ll have time to do so. You wouldn’t want to risk injuries and hinder your running.

Obviously it’s up to you but I would say if you’re feeling strong, go for the race/ warm-up thingy. With that time for 14 miles you’re more than capable of completing the 20 in under the time limit and it would save you having to slog through your long run on home territory, which I can find can be a bit of a psychological battle because you don’t have other people around to egg you on. I’m planning to do the same thing with a 20-miler next Sunday that a lot of people running London do as a LR prep, only mine’s prep for Edinburgh so I’ll need to do a second LR nearer the time at home. That’s if some kind of injury doesn’t mess me up before then though!

Congrats on winning the competition 🙂 I love it when stuff like that happens.
I used to be seriously addicted to those alpro drinks. I don’t really like soya milk, so it must have something in it that makes it taste so yummy!

Mmm that burger pitta looks SO good! I love food doctor pittas… this has reminded me to get some!
Also I sooo need to try cooking musli up as I would oats! Dried fruit and nuts already mixed in?! YES PLEASE!

Thanks everyone!
I should have credited Jessica for the muesli as porridge idea- it is fantastic 🙂
As for the 20 miles, it is not for another 8 weeks or so, and by then I should be up to the distance, so I think we are going to go for it. Nicer scenery will all help in making those miles fly by. Hopefully 🙂